Ibid

ELISHA PORAT

"Ibid, ibid," and even more "ibid . . . "
I was sent, in my youth, to
The footnotes on the bottom of the page.
But I couldn't see how these "ibids,"
Below the scrolls, below the papers,
Helped waste my life there wandering
Among them. Today I'll not wonder any
More: I know there is not any "ibid" that
Can divert me from the final hole
Who waits for my life to finish.
My last "ibid" is already there:
Waiting for me, ready for me . . .
To its end I'm sent.

Translated from the Hewbrew by the author and Ward Kelley

Elisha Porat can be contacted at porat_el@einhahoresh.org.il.

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